Adjustable pipe organ valve



v Sept. 1, 1931. D. s. BARRows' 1,821,286

ADJUSTABLE PIPE ORGAN VALVE Filed Oct. 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGA F165 Sept. 1, 1931. D. s. BARROWS 1,821,286

ADJUSTABLE PIPE ORGAN VALVE Flled Oct 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "A A F166 Patented Sept. l', 1931 DONALD S. BARROWS, OIE ROCHESTER, NE'W YORK ADJUSTABLE PIPE ORGrl-LN` VALVE Applicationled October 26, 1928.

The invention relates to pipe organs and has special'reference to the valve mechanism embodied therein for controlling the passage of air to the pipes.

The principal object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide a valve which may be easily adjusted from the outside of the wind chest without it being necessary to dis turb the top or bottom boards thereof, or in fact other parts.

It is well known that in the ordinary construction whenever it is desired to adjust or regulate the valves-it is necessary to remove either the top or bottom board of the wind chest,` make an adjustment and then replace the removed board before the new adjustment can be tested, orv else thechest must be large enough and provideo withsuitable openings with air tight closures so that access can be had to the interior tor inspection,.,adjustment or replacement ot thevalve mechanism, ln some instances this must be done several times before the. desired regulation is obtained and the work is tedious, eze pensive, more or lessinaccurate and consequently only half performed in many instancesso that perfectly satisfactory, results are. not had.

It is with the above facts in viewv that I have devisedv the present invention which contemplates providing a valvezconstruction of suchcharacter that any single valve, or as many as nay be desired, can be very quickly and easily adjusted from the outside oit the wind chest without disturbingl any of the other valves.

Another import-ant Objectis torprovide an organ valve having means whereby the air pressure within avalve chamber may. be exhausted or. reduced locally, for testing pur-- poses without it being necessary to press any of the manual keys on the organ when it lesiredr to ascertain whether the corresponding pipe is working properly.

Another object of the invention is to provide avalve having-these generalcharacteristics and which may beused equally well in the so-called unit chest ink which each valve has its own magnet energized from the corresponding manual key contact.

Serial No. 315,223.

till another objec invention is to provide a valve of th'`4 lacter which will he simple and inexpensive to manufacture andinstall`V easy to adjust, positive in action, eilicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment oi the foregoing and other objects and advai tages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the rangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a sectional view taken through a portion of a wind chest, showing the organ `pipe foot and control valve in position, parts of 'the latter being in elevation,

igure l is a sectional view showing a slight modification,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a slight modification of the adjusting means or valve mounting,

Figure 8 is a detail end view of the tube hown in Figure 2,

Figure l is a sectional view showing the invention as carried out in connection with a valve structure of the so-called unit chest,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure l showing a construction wherein the valv is bodily removable,

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the bottom board of the wind chest showing the removable plug member.

leterrng more jnirticularly to the drawings, the numeral i designates the interior of a wind chest of a 'typical variety and-which is ordinarily hollow, re tight Laimjular air be); having sides, ends and top and bottom boards, only the latter of which are shown. 'The top board 2 is formed with holes 3 which receive the ii'fect Ll of the organ pipes and which permit air to rlhe bottom board c is for d with grooves or channels 6 f ctinOv s 7 which are ar- O ranged coaxia with respect to or in alinement with th oles 3.

The valve proper or valve clementl which coacts with the opening 3 is ordinarily a laminated disl 8, usually built up with a top surface orp soit leather and an intermediate layer of telt or elastic medium backed by a disk of liber or other suitable rigid material. However, these details may readily be varied as they do not constitute the essence ot the invention. The valve element 8 is attached, as by a rivet 9, or other similar means, to a membrane or c iaphragm 10 of skin or other flexible air tight material, a washer 11 being preferably interposed between. This membrane is stretched with the desired tension over the mouth of a cup 12, the edge being,` cemented thereto and preferably also secured by means of a telescoping retaining ring` 13. The cup 12 may either be formed upon or suitably Jfastened to a hollow stem or tube 14, the bott-om central portion having a depression 15 'forming a seat for a spring` 16. T his depressed portion or downward extension is apertured at 17 so as to allow free passage ot air between the tube and the cup. To avoid direct contact of the spring with the membrane 10, the latter has attiXed to its underside a suitable spring,` cap 18 which may form also a depending apron 18CL with soit washer 18 below to limit downward movement of va ve by predetermined contact with cap as shown in Figure 1a.

rEhe lower end of the hollow stein or tube 14 is threaded, as at 19, so that it may be screwed into the holes 7 in the bottom board 5, an elastic air tight packing medium or bushing being provided it necessary. The threaded lower end ot the tube is provided with any desired number ot perforations 21 within the grooves 6 so as to establish communication between the same and the interior or" the tube and cup 19. The tube is preferably of suilicient length to project through and beyond the bottom board 5 and it is preferable that the extremity of the tube be formed with a portion 22 of square or other angular shape to facilitate rotation by means of a suitable tool. 1t might also be well to provide locl; nut 23 and packing washer 2% upon the threaded end oit the tube and engaging against the underside ot' the bottom board to prevent accidental rotation of the tube. It is intended that the lower end oit the tube be formed with an opening 25 closed by means of a removable screw Q6, or other equivalent device, provided for a purpose to be described.

ln the operation of this form or the device, the chamber 1 is iilled with air at a delinite pressure above that of the atmosphere whenever the stop or rank ot pipes communicating with this chamber is on or drawn. rlhrough the operation oi a suitable conventional primary chest, not shown as forming no part of the present invention, the grooves or channels 6 are also filled with air preterably at the same pressure as that within the wind chest. Owing` to the provision of the holes 21 which establish communication between the grooves and the cup 12, the pressure on both sides of the diaphragm or membrane 10 is substantially uniform and the valve elen'ient 8 is held against the pipe hole 3 by the force of the springY 1G. lli/when a certain note is to be played, the depression of the corresponding manual key operates the appropriate primary valve, not shown, and the pre sure air within the groove G is allowed to exhausu into the atnio;.-.phcre, and the air pressure within the cup and tube lil likewise permitted to exhaust. rlfhe total pressure upon the exposed upper surlace of the diaphragm or member 1Q then exceeds the pressure exerted by the spi ig 1G, and the diaphragm is forced downwardly, drawing the valve element S away lron'i the pipe hole 3 and permitting air under pressure in the wind chest to enter the pipe toot l, causing the pipe to sound. vWhen the manual key is released., the exhaust opening, not shown, 'from the groove 6 is closed and air under pressure is causer. to flow into the groove G, lllingg the tub-e 1-/1- and cup 12 so as to reestabi the equilibrium oi' the diaphragm 10, v... ereupon the sprinfr 1U will return the valve 8 te its closed posit' cutting' the air supply to the pipe toot. in valve chests in which the valve is Controlled as to closing by high pressure air ii le.. i dent ot the air within the wind 4he spring or springs may be omitted sine the excess air pressure will hold the valve closed.

ln Figures f) aiul l have illustrated an alternative construction wherein the valve tube is not threa l t deo through the bottom board but is dililerently mounted in manner to be described. Referring` to these i'igures in detail, it should ot course be understood that the same valve member El, diaphragm or membrane and associated parts are provided as in the irst described iiorin, ah ot these being mounted upon the tube 2"!" which corresponds to the tube 111. ln his 'torni the holes Q8 in the bottoni board are ot larger diam-eter than the holes 7 so as to receive the vertical `ilanegcs Q9 and 30 of upper and lower littings 31 and 32 respectively, the former oit' which is located within the wind chest and the latter of which is located beneath the bottom board. ln both instances it may be preferable to provide packing gaskets between the fittings and the bottom board and it will be clear that any suitable securing means, such as wood screws or the like 3%, may be provided for ei'fecting secure mounting. rllhe fitting 31 has a bore 35 therein sli( ably and rotatably receiving the tube 27 and, desired, an elastic air tight packing 36 may be provided in a pool-:et 37 in this bore. The lower end or" the tube Q17 is reduced and threaded as at Eil tor screwing engagement a threaded bore 39 in the litting 32. The lower extremity of the tube is intended to be engagealzle by a suitable tool for er1' ecting turning,` movement and to accomplish this I preferably provide notches 40 whichmay receive the end of a screw drivel' or the like. To establish communication between the grooves 6 and the tube 2T, the itting 32 may be formedwith a chamber 4l from wiich. leada plurality of channels or passages 42 which communicate with the grooves 6. The bore 39 extends clear to the lower end or the litting 32 and is intended to be closed by some easily removable means such as a cap or the screw 43.

The general operation of this second described form of the invention is the same that or" the lirst. The diilerence lies in the mode of adjustment orp the tube 2T, it being,l necessary in this form to remove the scr w or cap 43 to permit insertion of a screw driver or the like into the bore 39 so as to engage the notches 40 so that the tube may be turned in the proper direction. The only other ditierence is that the air instead of passing directly from the grooves 6 into a perforation in the tube must pass through the passages 42 into the chamber 41 and thence into the tube.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 4, I have illustrated the valve as einployed in conjunction with the so-called unit chest. In this form the previously described grooves 6 in the bottom board are omitted be formed as a castingr and which includes' an upstanding tubular portion 47 and a hase or attaching portion 48. At the "uncture ci' the tubular portion with the art-aching gortion the body is enlarged at 49 to be received within the opening 44 and to prevent air leal(- ag'e it is preferable to provide a gasket 50 between the plate portion and the underside ot the bottoni board. Any suitable securing' means, such as wood screws 5l, may be provided tor holding this body member or casting in place. The tubular portion 47 has a bore 52, the lower end portion of which is threaded at 53, and this bore receives the tube 54 which corresponds to and acts in the same capacity as the tubes 14 and 27. To make an air tight joint I may provide a packing 55 held in place by a gland 56 as clearly shown. rIhe bore 53 entends clear to the bottom et the body member or casting` and is normally closed by a screw, or the like, indicated at 57, this screw corresponding to the screws 2G and 43. Upon removal of this screw access may be had to the bore 53 for the purpose of inserting a screw driver or the like to engage within suitable notches 58 in the lower end of the tube 54, these notches corresponding to the notches 4() inthe second described form of the invention.

Located within the opening 45 is the actuating magnet 59 insulated from and carried by the plate portion 43 of the casting. rllhe casting or body is formed wi th a chamber 60 beneatn the poles ci the magnet and this chamber communicates through a passage 6l with the bore which is preferably somewhat enlarged at its intermediate portion into a chamber and the chamber (SO con'nnuuicaii-s with the opening 45 through a. port (i3. fr removable cover plate covers the chamber GO and is formed with an eX- haust op iing` 65. armature GS is located within chamber 60 and normally seats upon and closes the opening though it is mormted in "li n: iat when attracted by the magnetl 59 it u Al close thc port 63.

In the ation ci? this lfcrm, it will be understood that the air pressure within the chest and beneath the diaphragm of the valve which is carried by the tube o4 is normally the saine so that the `valve remains closed. ti/'hen the electro-i i a. ma..

t 59 is ener rized by rey, the arn will close the port (33 G5. pressure then escape through '32, j fassage 6l, into il out to the atmosphere l- The reduction in air pressure b the diaphragm of the valve will cause trie diaphra 1n to be 'forced downwardly by the pressure within the wind chest. as described i connection with the iirst forni orc tl" i ir'ention and the valve opens, jiermittir'z; the pressure air within the wind chest to p: ss out through the pipe foot so that the pipe will be sounded. TWhen the electro-mag'-' is suhsequiitly deenergized by the pl I releasing the manual keys the arma i di op, uncovering' the port 63 a the port 55, whereupon the presser wind cnest acting` through the o po-t G2 chamber (SO.

will equalize the sure on o fr, c cscribed in the by nermitti .p1-sw 4H Yl s 1- ...stef-1 Y nist iolin or t ,c i, to itseat Lne van e. The valve itisel. and d obrar a structure are not shown in Figi 4, nor in Figure Q ttor that matter, as tney are adequately illus traten in Figure l.

4 in identically pressure within the wind chest is maintained in excess of the pressure of the spring beneath the diaphragm or membrane and it is therefore readily possible for the organist or organ mechanic to test the results of the regulation of the valve. In connection with the form of the invention shown in Figure l it is clear that by removing the screw 26 the constant sounding of the pipe may be had while the tube la is rotated. However, in connection with the form shown in Figure l it is possible to carry ou the adjusting operation in a slightly different manner in that a tentative adjustment may be made by turning the tube while the screw 26 is in place, or the screw may be removed and a linger held over the orifice 25 to lreep the valve closedas described above. In this way the orifice 9.5 is simply a test opening and it is clear that in case of a large number of pipes the provision of such a test opening in connection with each will effect a great saving in time as it obviates the necessity for depressing any of the manual keys to test the speed of the valve action.

In Figures 5 and G I have illustrated a modified form of the invention in which the construction is such that the valve may be .bodily removed in addition to being adjusted.

In this form, the valve structure itself is identically the same as disclosed in Figure l, the only difference being that a hand hole 'T0 is provided in the bottom board of the wind chest, this hand hole receiving a plug-like member 7l which is apertured and provided with bushings T2 and 721 corresponding to the bushings 7 of the first described form, the bushing 72 being threaded for the reception of the threaded lower end of the valve tube lll. It is unnecessary to thread the bushing 72 or the coacting part of the tube. In every other respect the construction is identically the same. t is of course apparent that the plug-like member 7l must be of hollow formation and provided with ports 73 in order to establish communication between the passages 6 and the interior of the tube la. To prevent leakage it is advisable to provide a gasket 74 about the plu0`-lile member ll which may veryiconvenien ly be. of general frusto-conical shape and urged to its seat by some suitable means such for example as the screws 75 passing through a flange 76 or the lilte projecting from the bottom of the member 7l and overlapping the hand hole T0 as shown. By this particular construction it will be seen that in case it is necessary or desirable, by removing the screws 75 from the flange 7S, the plug-lilre member 7l may be removed bodily, carrying with "L *l it lne tube 14 and the valve structure comprised by the parts 8 to l. In every other respect the action and operation are identically the same as described in connection with Figure l. Of course the great advantage is that in case of necessity the plug member 7l may be talren out so that the entire valve structure may be removed without disturbing the top board of the chest.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that in all forms of the invention I have provided a very simple valve construction and one in which all the necessary adjustments may be effected from the exterior of the wind chest. It will be ol served that the same general plan may be followed out in different types of actions and regardless of whether there be the unit chest arrangement or not. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent t0 one skilled in the art without further eX- planation.

llhile I have shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the. adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A valve for controlling communication between an organ wind chest and a pipe mounted thereon, the wind chest having a hole leading to the pipe, said valve comprising a tubular member carrying a chamber, a diaphragm covering the chamber, a valve element connected with the diaphragm and adapted to cover or uncover said hole, means for establishing communication between the interior of the tubular member and the atmosphere, and means operable from the exterior of the wind chest for adjusting said tubular member and consequently the valve element.

2. A valve for controlling communication between an organ wind chest and a pipe mounted thereon, the wind chest having a hole leading to the pipe, said valve comprising a tubular member xari-ying a chamber, a diaphragm covering the chamber, a valve element connected with the diaphragm and adapted to cover or uncover said hole, means for establishing communication between the interior of the tubular member and the atmosphere, and screw means operable from the exterior of the wind chest for adjusting said tubular member and consequently the valve element.

A valve for controlling communication between an organ wind chest and a pipe mounted thereon, the wind chest having a hole leading to the pipe, said valve comprising a tubular member carrying a cham ier, a diaphragm covering the chamber, a valve element connected with the diaphragm and adapted to cover or uny pipe.

cover said hole, means for establishing` A :D mountec` therefn, tie Wind chest having a hole leading to the pipe, said valve comprisingl tubular member' carrying a chambei', a eiaglr 'm coverii the chamber, a valve el ment connected with the diaphragm rn f. a ed to cover or uncover said hole,

tion

ofthe tubulaimember lor here, mears operal le from he vf? l Vtor adusting iembe; and consequent y the and means Lher than said esta i f tpm'V k 5. ln combiiation With an organ Wind chest having` 'top and botton boards with the former provided with a hole receiving.;` the toot of a pipe, a valve structure involving a member rotatably mounted in said bottom board and a diaphragm actuated valve element carried by the upper end of the said memoer for cfu/erin or incovering` said hole, and means adjusting 'the valve structure irom the botom board.

ln a

ne exterior oi' wind chest i Yi-ole receiving' the toot '.f'n for controlling n the Wind chest and uprising a tubular in said bottom said valve bottom boarc bottom boards and the or pipe, communica pipe, r rota board, and means 1 a h J mechanism 'trom beneath t While the top and u. ln a pipe organ having a Wind chest with top and bottom l oards, the former bcing` provided wi h y recel ing,` the foot oie a pipe, a valve mech tor controlling' co minunication be* v ,.viix'L chest and pipe, said mecha o i involving` a. member "ot d said bott m board,

olv mounted in mens for adjusting said valve mechanism from b' ieath the bf'ttom lourd While the es and the valve mechasitu, and means arranged f ',vhereby the d without actu- J- l corresponding to tee i p 1nd bottom msm remai i in 8. in an organ having a Wind chest With top and bottom boards, the former having a hole receiving` the footoi e pipe, a valve mechanism v"or contr lling` communication etu'een the Wind cnest and the pipe, the valve mechanism extendinf" through the vnr-id chest and embodying a tubular member carrying a chamber covered by a meml element carri ed by 'the mem braneand vmovable therewith for covering and uncovering said hole, means holding` said valve elementnormally seated over the `.vlieu the air pressure balaneed at both sides of the membrane, the air within 'the tubular member being adapted to be eX- hausted intovthc atmosphere upon actuation of'a manual hey correspondinnfto the pipe, land screw means` at the bottom board if the wind chest operable to move said tubular member longitudinally for regulating the p "lon oi the valve element Without disturbing any part ot the Wind chest.

9. In an organ having' a Wind chest with top and bottom boards, the former having; a hole receiving` the toot of a pipe, a valve mechanism for controlling communication between the Wind chest and the pipe, the valve mech-anism extending through the Wind chest and embodyingl a tubular member carrying a chamber covered'by a membrane, a valve element carried by the membrane and novablethereivith tor covering and uncovering said hole, means holding` said valve element normally seated overthehole'when the air pressure is balanced at both sides oit the membrane, the air Within the tubular member beingy adapted to be exhausted into the atmosphere upon actuation of a manual hey corresponding to the pipe, screw means at the bottom board of the Wind chest operable to move said tubular member longitudinally ior regulating' the position of the valve ele mentwithout disturbing any part ot the vrind chest.y the valve mechanism having,` an onening t t its lower end adapted to establish communication with the atmosphere, and means normally closino said openino'.

10. In an organ having a Wind chest 'With top and bottom boards, the former having a hole receiving the foot oi a'pipe, a valve mechanism for controlling' communication between the Wind chest and the pipe, the valve mechanism extending` through the Wind chest and embodying a tubular member carrying a chamber covered by a, membrane, a valve element carried by the membrane and movable thereivith for covering and uncovering' said hole, means holding said valve element normally seated over the hole when the air pressure is balanced at both sides of the membrane, the air Within the tubular member beninT adapted to be exhausted into the atmosphere upon actuation o'l a manual key corresponding' to the pipe, screu7 means at the bottom board of the Wind chest operable to move said tubular member longitudinally for regulating the position of lthe valve element without disturbing any part of the Wind chest, and sealing means engaging the tubular member for preventing leakage of air thereabout.

l1. In an organ having a wind chest with top and bottom boards, the former having a hole receiving the foot of a pipe, a valve mechanism for controlling communication between the wind chest and the pipe, comprising a unitary structure including a tubular member having an enlargement at its upper end constituting a diaphragm chamber, a membrance stretched across said chamber and carrying a valve element adapted to cover or uncover said hole, a springy mounted within the chamber and urging the membrane into a position holding the valve element in closed position, and means operable from beneath the bottom board for moving the tubular member longitudinally and adjusting the position or" the valve element.

12; In an organ having a wind chest with top and bottoni boards, the former having a hole receiving the foot of a pipe, a valve mechanism for controlling communication between the wind chest and the pipe, comprising a unitary structure including a tubular member having an enlargement at its upper end constituting a diaphragm chamber, a membrane stretched across said chamber and carrying a valve element adapted to cover or uncover said hole, a spring mounted Within the chamber and urging the membrane into a position holding the valve element in closed position, means operable from beneath the bottom board for moving the tubular member longitudinally and adjusting the position of the valve element, and means irrespective of manual key operated means for exhausting the pressure within the tubular member to effect unseating of the valve element and communication between the wind chest and the pipe.

13. In a pipe organ having a wind chest including top and bottom boards, the former being apertured and carrying the foot of a pipe at the aperture, the bottom board being formed with an opening concentric with said aperture, a removable plug member mounted within said opening and having a central hole in axial relation to saidaperture, a valve structure carried by said plug member for controlling communication between the interior of the wind chest and said aperture, said structure involving a tubular member mounted in the hole of said plug and means whereby the valve structure may be adjusted with respect to said plug member.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

DONALD S. BARR-OWS. 

